Our first look at the US-spec 2023 Kia Niro which will be offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric variants, will take place at next week’s New York International Auto Show on April 13.
The second generation of the Niro was introduced in Korea in November 2021 when Kia showed us the exterior and interior design of the crossover. It followed up in the beginning of the year by releasing details for the HEV, PHEV and BEV variants which are already available to order in several European markets.
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Kia released a single photo showing all three guises of the Niro with US-spec yellow indicators on the lower part of the LED headlights. Besides the variation in the color schemes, the Hybrid (green/black) and Plug-in Hybrid (blue/black) models have a slightly different front bumper design than the EV (white/gray) and come with a different set of alloy wheels. Interestingly, the charging port on the PHEV is located on the front fender, while in the EV it is mounted on the front bumper under the covered grille.
Dimensions are expected to be identical to the EU-spec and Korean-spec models, measuring 4,420 mm (174 inches) long, 1,825 mm (71.85 inches) wide, and 1,545 mm (60.82 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,720 mm (107 inches). The slightly increased footprint compared to the outgoing model gives more space for the passengers and their luggage. Cargo capacity is 451 lt (15.9 cubic feet) on the HEV, 348 lt (12.3 cubic feet) in the PHEV, and 495 lt (17.5 cubic feet) in the EV.
The specifications of the North American models are expected to be very close to those of the European models. In Europe, the Kia Niro HEV is using a 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor producing a combined 139 hp (104 kW / 141 PS), sent to the front axle through a six-speed DCT gearbox. The Kia Niro PHEV gets a more powerful electric motor which in combination with the 1.6-liter engine increases the combined output to 182 hp (136 kW / 185 PS), while the larger 11.1 kWh lithium-ion battery allows a 60 km (37 miles) WLTP range according to preliminary data. Finally, the Kia Niro EV is fitted with a single electric motor producing the same 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) as the previous generation, with the 64.8 kWh allowing a slightly increased WLTP of 463 km (288 miles) according to the WLTP cycle.
Stay tuned for the North American debut of the 2023 Kia Niro which will be streamed live from the display stand at the New York International Auto Show next week.
